Nielsen, in collaboration with the National Newspaper Publishers Association compiled an extremely interesting data report – The State of the African American Consumer. This report, the first of three for this collaborative duo, included tons of information regarding the consumer habits of Blacks in America. There seems to be lots of cash flowing from these […]
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Well the year end if fast upon us, and there may be just a bit more counseling to be done before we cross the threshold of the Year of the Dragon. I believe this will be a year for innovators, survivors, and out of the box thinkers who see opportunity despite dilemma. I have made […]
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As the year comes to an end, I have to take just a second to reflect on all the things I am thankful for this year. I won’t bore you with the list, but I will hope for you, that you take the time to do the same. I find it both interesting and puzzling […]
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I have spoken with hundreds of women who come in with a good business idea and say to me “I have no idea how to run a business”. That can be a bit intimidating, both for them and for me. As a business counselor I deal with people’s insecurities on a daily basis. I also […]
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Typically, I come from a place and a time, I suppose, where some planning may have been necessary, but eventually you had to get down to “the doing”. People in the Capital Region believe in a lot of planning. Nothing wrong with that, except when you talk the idea to death, its dead. Two ways […]
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The value of knowledge may well be off the affordability scale for many students and families in the near future. Unfortunately, we can’t recapture time or give back prime years to those who are forced to suffer through this prolonged “regression”. For the business community, and the country at large, it is my hope folks […]
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The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region and Capital District Local First will be hosting events starting Monday, November 14, 2011. On Monday, a Peer to Peer Conversation with John Max Miller, will give area coaches, counselors, and small business people an opportunity to hear the perspective of both a serial entrepreneur and angel […]
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Recently Starbucks CEO and founder Howard Schultz made headlines for stepping up with an idea to assist with small business finance. With a minimum of five dollars, you can join the effort to raise capital for CDFIs (community development financial institutions) who loan money to small businesses and support community revitalization efforts. CDFIs are survivors of […]
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All of the indicators are bad. The propaganda is under-performing, and fear has set in again. Many business people I counsel are working harder, pinching pennies and praying things will break – and soon! Some are ignoring the news, putting their noses to the grind stone, and not planning on looking up until the skies […]
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Managing people can sometimes be like pulling teeth; scary, painful in the anticipation and anxiety ridden. I remember several years ago, I was managing staff. However, I seldom had to handle what I called “tiny” issues in people management. I was very lucky to have an office manager who was deftly talented and sensitive to […]
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